BYU defies low expectations and overcomes slow start to become a team to watch in March Madness

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PROVO, Utah — There was little to reason to think BYU would be a Big 12 Conference contender — never mind a team that would wound up getting ranked — back in the preseason.

Then the Cougars lived down to expectations by losing four of their first six league games.

BYU eventually turned it around, winning 11 of 13 games to close the regular season, including eight in a row. The Cougars reached the Big 12 Tournament semifinals before falling to Houston. BYU drew a 6 seed in NCAA Tournament for a second straight season and will face 11 seed VCU in the first round.

First-year coach Kevin Young said after the difficult start that his team became more patient, tougher and more resilient. The Cougars also simply executed better offensively.

“That’s where we’ve been able to move the needle,” Young said.

Off the court, robust investment from alumni donors — including Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith — has helped BYU recruit top-shelf talent. The Cougars lured Richie Saunders and Dallin Hall back to Provo after both players entered the transfer portal when Mark Pope departed for Kentucky. Young and his staff also brought in possible NBA lottery pick Egor Demin and high-impact transfers Keba Keita (Utah) and Mawot Mag (Rutgers).

BYU scored its biggest recruiting win in the fall when it made national news by landing the school’s first consensus five-star recruit in AJ Dybantsa. He is projected to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft.

Now the Cougars have to be just as successful in the NCAA Tournament. There doesn’t appear to be a lack of confidence in making it happen.

“I feel like everything is clicking at the right time,” forward Fousseyni Traore said. “I believe in this team. I think we can make a big run. We’re going to shock a lot of people. I do believe that.”

The Cougars have reached the Sweet 16 once since 1981, behind sharpshooting Jimmer Fredette in 2011. They have never made the…

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Publish date : 2025-03-17 18:56:00

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